If you have a female iguana and plan on keeping her as a pet, most vets will recommend to spay them. The stress of producing and laying eggs is hard them . The complications that can occur, and the stress in dealing with the yearly event, lead to my decision to spay.
Usually in winter months, she will begin to act differently. They can become very sweet and docile and welcome attention and cuddling. They don’t need a male iguana, it is what girls do, lay eggs, and it can be a yearly occurrence.
You will notice her eating is increases and then begins to drop down quickly. At this time you may notice a bulge that continues to grow. Basically the eggs are in the sack and are beginning to develop. Usually it happens around December.
When you notice these things, immediately take her to a highly qualified vet. He will exam her and take x-rays.
If you decide not to spay, he will help you with instructions on creating a “laying box” and once they eggs are laid, you will return for an x-ray to confirm all the eggs have been laid. If one is still in her, steps will have to be taken to make sure it is laid or removed.
If you choose to spay, the operation is safest when she is with egg, or “gravid”.
Here are some of the reasons I decided to go the expense of the operation:
- When the egg is developing, the body needs an excess of calcium and nutrients to develop the egg. Proper supplements must be given and sometimes people don’t realize that and her bones could suffer for it.
- If an egg is developing and she falls, the egg could rupture and cause death.
- The laying of the eggs takes mulitple days and the iguana needs a special box in which to hide and dig to begin the process.
- If she doesn’t have this, she may become egg bound and die.
- After the eggs are laid, she needs a follow-up with your vet and another x-ray to insure sure all the eggs have been laid. If they haven’t that is another issue to deal with. $$
- The stress and uncomfort for her, and the concern and worry for me, is too much for me to handle every year.
My only concern for her is that she would never be able to have a baby. But in saying that, iguanas just don’t have a baby, they have 30-70 babies! And that is not an option for us! Also, I wonder how she will change. Will she lose her spunk or will she become mean?
Read my post of “Angel’s Spay Surgery” and see just what happens before and after a spay surgery!
